This 46-credit program is designed to be completed in two years, although some students may take longer to complete their theses or terminal projects. It’s recommended that you complete the core coursework in the first year and focus on courses in your research area and your thesis or terminal project in the second year. Most students complete the program in five to six 10-week terms.

You can find an example schedule below, but keep in mind that schedules vary significantly based on each student’s area of interest. This sample schedule reflects classes offered in AY 2024–25.

Fall Term - First Year

• JCOM 611 Mass Communication and Society 4 credits
• JCOM 612 Media Theory I 5 credits

Winter Term - First Year

• JCOM 613 Media Theory II 5 credits
• JCOM 641 Qualitative Research Methods 4 credits

Spring Term - First Year

• 600-Level Media Studies specialty course 4 credits
• JCOM 642 Quantitative Research Methods 4 credits

Fall Term - Second Year

• 600-Level SOJC conceptual course 4 credits
• JCOM 503 Thesis or JCOM 609 Terminal Project3 credits

Winter Term - Second Year

• 600-level course outside the SOJC 4 credits
• JCOM 503 Thesis or JCOM 609 Terminal Project3 credits

Spring Term - Second Year

• 600-level course outside the SOJC 4 credits
• JCOM 503 Thesis or Elective3 credits

Program Checklist

In addition to your required courses, you’ll need to complete the following tasks between enrollment and graduation. Complete these steps in order, with guidance from your faculty advisor.

1. Select your faculty advisor. During orientation, the program director will assign you a temporary faculty advisor, but you’ll get the chance to select someone whose research interests you. This person will be your first point of contact for questions about the program and your thesis or terminal project.
2. Submit your thesis or terminal project proposal. By the end of spring term of your first year, you should secure approval of your project plan from your committee, which will be made up of your advisor and at least one other faculty member. If your thesis research will require human subjects, submit the Human Subjects Research Compliance form.
3. Enroll for at least 3 credits during your graduating term. If you have not completed your thesis or terminal project by the time you complete your coursework, you can register again in summer or fall term.
4. Apply for graduation. In the second week of the term in which you plan to graduate, fill out the graduation form on GradWeb.
5. Complete your foreign language requirement for the MA. You can test out or use previously completed coursework that’s not more than seven years in the past to meet this requirement. Most students who don’t have foreign language skills or credits default to the MS, although you can take foreign language courses at the UO if you prefer an MA.
6. Complete your oral defense of your thesis or terminal project. This should happen at least one week before the end of your final term.
7. Submit an electronic copy of your thesis or project. You can submit a project to the SOJC Graduate Programs Office, but theses need to go to the UO Division of Graduate Studies.

Questions?

Need some guidance? Here are a few options:

1. Download our graduate handbook for more details about program requirements and resources.
2. Contact our Director of Graduate Affairs and Student Experience with questions about the program, the application process, and admission.